Pakistan Petroleum Limited - a profile

Economic Review, April, 1996

Since then PPL's growth has been steady, sustained and the Company maintains its leading role as an energy producer in the country. As discoverer and producer of Pakistan's biggest natural gas field at Sui in Balochistan, PPL has been playing a central role in the energy sector of the country, substantially meeting the country's ever rising energy requirements. Production of natural gas from PPL fields averages more than 40 per cent of the country's total gas production.

With a track record of 43 years of petroleum exploration, development and production, PPL has to its credit the discovery of eight gas and three oil fields. The gas discoveries have been Sui, Zin, Uch, Khairpur, Mazarani, Kandhkot, Sylhet and Chhatak. The last two fields were/are located in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. The oil discoveries have been at Balkassar (Chakwal ML), Karsal (Pira Jangla ML) and Adhi.

Of the 9 discoveries, excluding the 2 in Bangladesh, 3 are presently on production. Sui has been on production since 1955, Kandhkot gas field in Sindh has been on production since 1987 and production from Adhi gas/condensate field commenced in 1980. Zin, Uch and Khairpur gas discoveries were surrendered to GOP before putting them on production whereas oil discoveries at Balkassar and Karsal were surrendered when production from them had declined to uneconomic levels. For Mazarani gas discovery a field development plan is underway for supply of gas at the rate of 10 MMcfd to SSGCL.

As an exploration company PPL's role has been consistent and active. It continues to explore and develop new and existing finds independently, as well as in joint ventures with other companies.

PPL's exploration activities continue in six Exploration Licence areas with PPL as Operator in Blocks 35, 2769-2 (Sadiqabad) and Riwat Area. Kundi X-1, near Bannu NWFP was drilled in 1995 to 6,400 metres, So far the deepest in Pakistan. As the well did not discover any hydrocarbons it was plugged and abandoned. In Riwat Area, a deep exploratory well is proposed to be drilled this year in joint venture with OMV, Hardy and Government of Pakistan. In Block 2769-2 (Sadiqabad) three exploratory wells are planned to be drilled during 1996-97 in joint venture with PPL, OMV and Government Holdings.

In joint ventures, the joint venture partners namely OGDC, Premier, Burmah, OMV, Hardy, Tullow, British Gas, PPL, President, have discovered three gas fields namely Qadirpur and Miano in Sindh and Savi Ragha in Balochistan. Of these the Qadirpur gas field has been developed and was put on production, whereas additional drilling and development plans are underway to bring the other two gas discoveries also on production.

PPL in a 50:50 joint venture with the Government of Balochistan has also set up Bolan Mining Enterprises (BME) which produces API grade oil well drilling barytes powder from Khuzdar (Balochistan). Most of its production is utilised within Pakistan which saves the country substantial amount of foreign exchange.

By virtue of being active in petroleum exploration and production business for over four decades PPL possesses an enormous and well organised technical data bank. Its managerial, professional and technical staff is also highly qualified and experienced. As a corporate citizen the Company plans a steady and significant role in the social upliftment of the community.